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Ear infections in kids

Ear infections are one of of the common childhood illnesses that can occur multiple times during childhood - in fact, very few children get through childhood completely without developing an ear infection at all.

Kids are more vulnerable to ear infections because their ear canals are smaller and narrower so fluid can easily build up there. The good news here is that as your child grows, the number of ear infections will become fewer.

While ear infections can be painful, they rarely cause any long-term damage and usually clear up on their own or with a course of anitbiotics.

Ear infection facts

Ear infections are the most commonly diagnosed illness for children after the common cold.

Children are most susceptible to ear infections after battling colds.

Ear infections can clear up on their own after a few days.

Ear infections are sometimes treated with antibiotics.

How to tell if your child has an ear infection

Ear infections can be obvious (especially if your kid complains of ear pain), or the signs can be subtle. Here are a few common symptoms to watch for:

Ear pain

Tugging at the ears

Trouble sleeping

Loss of appetite, diarrheoa or vomiting

Failure to respond to sounds

Increased irritability

A fever of 38°C or above

A thick, clear or yellowish, sometimes bloody, fluid draining from the ears. Though this discharge may indicate that the eardrum has burst, the hole will probably heal itself and often brings your child a sense of relief.

When to call the doctor

Ear infections usually clear up on their own, but if the ear infection persists for more than a few days, or if you see a bloody or gooey discharge from the ear, call your doctor.

Treatment of ear infections

Many doctors use a wait-and-see policy to avoid over-prescribing antibiotics to their patients. But to lessen your child's pain, follow these tips:

You can treat the pain with an over-the-counter non-aspirin pain relievers like Nurofen or Panadol. Do not give your child aspirin, as it can trigger Reye's syndrome.

Apply a warm (not hot) washcloth to your child's ear, or, if the eardrum has not been ruptured, use eardrops.

If the problem persists, some doctors will prescribe an antibiotic.

Ear infection-prone children

Ear infections are very common among children whose ear canals are still developing, but some kids are just more prone to the infection than others. Here are some factors that make children prone to ear infections.

Gender: Boys tend get ear infections more often than girls (it's unclear why).

Family members have had ear infections.

Secondhand smoke exposure: Children exposed to secondhand smoke have increased frequency and severity of ear infections.

Ear infection prevention

Limit your child's exposure to large groups of kids, thus restricting his or her exposure to the colds and viruses that are often a precursor to ear infections.

Wash hands frequently to cut down on the transmission of germs that can cause colds and viruses.

Keep current on immunizations. Some vaccines prevent illnesses that can lead to ear infections.

Wear ear plugs when swimming.

Frequent ear infections

If your child has three or more ear infections in a six month period, consult your doctor to find out whether a long-term treatment is in order.

Long-term treatment of ear infections

In some chronic ear infection cases, doctors will insert small tubes called grommets through the eardrum to help with drainage from the ear; or, in rare cases, remove the child's adenoids.